Sharp concrete spikes are cropping up under China's city bridges in a bid to stop homeless people from sleeping there.
Pictures of the lethal 20cm high barbs in Guangzhou have sparked online outrage with citizens angry that authorities are trying to 'hide' the homelessness problem. But the true purpose of the spikes has not been revealed.
This is because the area's Bureau of City Management, Bureau of Transportation and Bureau of Construction have all denied responsibility for the work.

No space under the bridge: Concrete spikes 20cm high have been placed in various areas popular with homeless people in the Chinese city of Guangzhou

Spiky: Homeless people will avoid sleeping under this bridge after the deterrents were placed there
A staggering 200million of China's 1.4billion population are believed to be living on the streets, according to recent statistics. Sources at the city airport said: 'Those were built by the District administrative agency, because too many homeless people congregate under the bridge.
'They not only rest there but light fires to cook there as well, which poses danger.' Civil rights activist Liang Shuxin wrote on his Sina Weibo page: 'These concrete spikes are a disgrace on Guangzhou, which brands itself as a metropolis with tolerance and inclusiveness as its spirit.
'If you are in favor of razing these spikes that have stabbed at people's heart, please retweet. Return a resting place to homeless people.' Other bloggers also criticised the scheme, with one saying: 'What a disgrace!!! Which country doesn’t have homeless people?
'Look at the United States, they have even more than China! Do they really have to be so ruthless and cruel.'

Captured: Photos of the works were posted by citizens onto Sina Weibo, China's microblogging service

Denials: But the Bureau of City Management, Bureau of Transportation and Bureau of Construction have each said they are not responsible